Automatic racking-out mechanism for knitting machines



' A. GEE

Dec. 17, 1935.

AUTOMATIC RACKING-OUT MECHANISM FOR KNITTNG MACHINES .Filend April 24, 195o :s sheets-sheet 1 Y A. GEE 2,024,519 AUTOMATIC RACKING-OUT MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed April 24, 1 930 is""" l. n...

' INVENTQR Dec. 17, 1935. A. GEE 2,024,519/

n AUTOMATIC RACKING-OUT MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES 4 I I Filed April 24, 195o s sheets-sheet s INVENTOR Il mHLuBH Patented Dec. 17,- 1935 PATENT oFFicE AUTOMATIC RACKING-OUT MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Albert Gee, Elkins Park, Pa., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Haines Hosiery Mills, Inc., Nicetown, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 24, 1930, Serial' No. 446,818

17 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to knitting machines, and has particular reference to certain automatic mechanism to be associated with a knitting machine of the full-fashioned type.

It is a surprising fact that, despite the complexity of a knitting machine of this general character, a very great amount of attendance on .the part of an operator is necessary in causing the machine to fulfill its several successive and contemplated functions. It is a general object of my present invention to provide an arrangement which will in a large measure reduce the amount of attendance necessary upon such a machine and which will provide for automatically carrying out certain functions at predetermined times.

My present invention has more particular reference to the automatic racking ou In a machine of this character, one or more yarncarrier rods are reciprocated to lay successive courses in position for engagement by the knit? ting needles. The travel of these yarn-carrier rods is altered in a predetermined manner and at certain times to provide for the contemplated narrowing of the article being knitted 'Thisl predetermined alteration of the yarn-carrier rod travel is usually elfected by providing stops for the respective yarn-carrier rods and advancing these stops in an intermittent and predetermined manner axially with respect to the rods so as to limit their reciprocation.

At the same time, certain bars which carry a set of so-called narrowing points or needles are similarly reciprocated to pick up certain loops at predetermined times vand shift them so as to `carry out the narrowing operation.A Stops are provided for these last-mentioned bars, and these stops are also shifted intermittentlyin a predeterminedmanner.

A general object of my present invention is toprovide for the automatic return of the several stops hereinbefore mentioned after their function has been carried out.

In the machine herein illustrated by way of example, the stops are carried upon worm boxes or interiorly-threaded carrier nuts which are mounted upon worm shafts, the latter shafts being rotated in a predetermined manner to advance the carrier nuts at predetermined times. The mechanism for accomplishing this may consist of,for example, a ratchet and pawl arrange- I 'ment, togetherwith a detent which holds each .Worm shaft in a locked condition between rotations thereof. In acordance with my present invention, I provide an arrangement whereby these Worm shafts are automatically caused to rotate in reverse direction after the worm boxes carried thereby have been advanced to the desired extents. I

More particularly, it is a feature of lmy invention to provide an automatic arrangement which operates at a' predetermined time to withdraw the detent from each of the worm shafts, disengage the pawl and ratchet arrangement, and at l0 the same time render operative a reversing mechanism which is normally retained in an inoperaltive condition.

' In the preferred embodiment herein illustrated the automatic operation above referred to is inil tiated by the encounter between a projection carried upon a continuous member, such as a chain, and a movable element, such as a pivoted bell crank. I have, for example, shown a latch arrangement which holds all the reversing mech- 20 anism in normally inoperative condition, and a means whereby the latch is tripped by the movement of the last-mentioned pivoted element, when such element is encountered and moved by the projection on the chain.

In order that this automatic racking out procedure may be accomplished efficiently and prior to the shutting off of the entire machine, it is another feature of my invention to` provide a substitute set of stops for the yarn-carrier rods, and to place this substitute set of stops into operation automatically just prior to the time that -the normal stops are automatically returned to their initial positions. In the embodiment herein F illustrated, I have'shown a latch arrangement 3f which holds the substitute set of stops in a normally inoperative condition, and I have provided for the tripping of this latch by means which is associated with the carrier nut itself. In other words, my present invention provides 4 for the customary step-by-step advance of the carrier nut, for the release thereby of a substitute set of stops for the carrier rods, and for the subsequent return of the carrier nut and its associated parts to an initial position. 4"

Another feature of my invention lies in providing an arrangement whereby each wormshaft is finally brought to rest in a position in which its corresponding detent may properly engage therewith prior to the, commencement of the succeeding operation of the machine. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, I have shown oneY way of accomplishing this by providing a projection or lug upon the ratchet wheel, this lug @countering and being halted by a projection carried by the worm box or carrier nut itself. The parts are so arranged that the ratchet wheel will be brought to rest in exactly a position in which its corresponding detent may properly engage therewith. i'

It will be understood that certain phases of my invention, and particularly the feature lastmentioned, are independent of other features. For example,` the automatic halting of the ratchet wheel at a predetermined position may be usefully resorted to even in cases where the worm. shafts are rotated in reverse direction by manual operation of a handle or the like.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have constructed a device embodying the features of my invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein- Figure 1 is a fragmentary end view of a knitting machine of the present general character showing my invention associated therewith, the dot-and-dash lines indicating portions of the knitting machine having no direct relationship to. my present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation viewed from the left of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, taken substantially along the line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view taken in substantiallyv the same direction -as Figure 2 and showing the manner in which the several parts of my present mechanism co-operate;

Figure '7 is an enlarged view, partly in section, taken in the same direction as Figure 6 and of a portion of the mechanism at the left of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 8 8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the mechanism shown in the central portion of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view taken in substantially the same direction as Figure 3, and showing a modification, and

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line of Figure 10.

Referring for the moment to Figure 6, it will be observed that I have shown a plurality of yam-carrier rods 20, and it will be understood that these rods are arranged in suitable guideways or tracks which permit them to be reciprocated by a friction box mechanism of customary character, not shown. Not all of these rods are necessarily employed at one time, and each one thereofsupports a yarn-feeding device so that during the reciprocation of the rod, the yarn is laid first'in one direction and then in the other for engagement by the needles. Customarily, the machine is started by shifting one group of rods toward one end of the machine and by shifting the remaining group toward the other end of the machine. For example, alternate rods may be shifted toward the right, as viewed in Figure 6, and the remaining rods may be shifted toward the left end of the machine, which is not illustrated in Figure 6.

The reciprocation of the rods is limited not only by the reciprocation of the iritvll bUXeS plan, the carrier nut 22 is advanced intermittently toward the left, as viewed in Figure 6, and

` this is accomplished by intermittent rotational movements imparted to the shaft 23. Such advance of the carrier nut 22 causes the stops 2| tov be shifted accordingly, and in this way reduces the reciprocal travel of those yarn-carrier rods which encounter the stops 2|. After the article being knitted has been completed, and before a subsequent knitting operation can vbe initiated, the worm box 22 must be returnedito is initial position, as shown in Figure 6, and the several carrier rods are again shifted, usually by hand,

f to their respective ends of the machine.

In Figure 1, I have shown the end of the worm shaft 23, and mounted thereon is a belt pulley 24, a ratchet wheel 25, and a notched detent wheel or disc 26.` A pawl A21 is adapted normallyto be in engagement with the ratchet wheel 25 to advance the latter intermittently in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. A detent 28, reciprocally mounted in a housing or sleeve 29, is normally urged downwardly into engagement with one of the notches of the detent wheel 26, the detentthereby serving to lock the shaft 23 between its rotational movements.

An additional shaft 30 is mounted alongside of' the shaft 23 and is screw-threaded in the same general manner. This shaft carries worm boxes or nuts which are not illustrated but which serve as stops for the bars which reciprocate and carry the narowing points or needles. On theshaft 30 is a similar belt pulley 3|, a ratchet wheel 32, and a detent disc or wheel 33. The ratchet wheel 32 is driven in an intermittent manner by the pawl 34; and a detent 35, mounted in a housing 36, engages with the detent wheel 33.

'I'he shaft 30 carries an additional ratchet Wheel 31 actuated by a pawl 38 at predetermined times, whenever the pawl 38 is thrown into operative position, the purpose of this additional ratchet wheel being to regulate the rotational movements of the shaft 38 in the required manu ner. The pawl 38 and ratchet wheel 31 have no is pivoted at 42 to the link 40 and extends downwardly therefrom.

The pawl 21 is In a similar manner, the pawl 34 is pivoted at- 43 to one end of an arm 44 freely mounted upon the shaft 30, and having a portion 45 which supports the pawl 38. At 46, `a bar 41 is pivoted to the arm 4 4 and extends downwardly therefrom.

The bar 41 has a portion 48 which is pivoted at 48 to the lower end of the bar 4|, and a spring 50 tends to draw both the bars 4| and 41 downward. The lower end of the bar 41 is pivoted as at to the end of a lever 52 which carries a cam follower or roller 53. The roller 53 is in engagement with a cam 54 or the like mounted upon a suitable driving shaft 55 which may, if desired, be the cam shaft of the machine but need not necessarily be this particular shaft.

Springs, which I have not shown, tend normally to hold the pawls 21 and 34 in operative engagement with their respective ratchets,l and at predetermined times the cam 54 pushes the roller 53 upwardly against the action of the spring 59, thereby causing the pawls to advance their respective ratchet' wheels in a step-bystep clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. This rotates the shafts 23 and 38 in predetermined manner and causes a step-by-step advance of the carrier nut 22 (upon the shaft 23) and the carrier nuts which I have not shown but which are mounted upon the shaft 30.

The belt 56, engaging with the pulley 24, and the belt 51, engaging with the pulley 3l, extend downwardly into association with pulleys 58 and 59, respectively, looselyumounted upon the driving shaft 55. Under ordinary conditions, therefore, the pulleys 58 and 59 are not driven and vances intermittently to provide for the narrowing of the calf portion; it then remains stationary for a period; and it finally advances intermittently again to provide for the narrowing of the heel tabs. After the heel tabs have been knitted,'it is customary to knit a few additional courses, which are known as looper courses. It is during the knitting of these loose or looper courses that my present invention provides for the automatic racking out or return of the several stop boxes or nuts to their original positions.

Inasmuch as the withdrawal of the carriernut 22 during its return movement carries with it the stops 2|, and inasmuch as certain stops are still required during the knitting of vthe looper courses, I provide a set of substitute stops which are normally inoperative and which are automatically brought into action just prior to the retractive movement of the carrier nut 22.

Thus, in Figure 6, I have shown an arm 60 pivotally mounted upon a shaft or rod 6I and carrying at its free end a series of projections or stops 62 and 63. The arm 60 is normally held inl the upward position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 8, and this is accomplished by means of the latch pin 64 which is normally urged toward the right (in Figure 6) by a spring, (see Fig. '7). This pin is' adapted to engage within an apertured boss 65 on the arm 60. The pin 64 is mounted in an arm 66 supported by the shaft 6|.

A yoke 61 engages the pin 64 and is mounted on a'rod 68 extending parallel to the carrier rods and terminating at a predetermined point 69. The rod 68 is positioned Vin the path of a projection or lug carried by the nut 22.

Upon viewing Figure 6, it will be noted that when the carrierv nut 22 has advanced by a predetermined extent toward the left, the lug 10 will encounter' the end 69- of the rod 68 and shift the latter toward the left. This causes the pin 64 to be withdrawn from the lug 65, and permits the arm G0 to drop by gravity into the position shown in full-lines in Figure 8. y

In this position, the stops 62 and 63 are-interposed in the paths of projections 1| and 12 mounted upon the several carrier rods 2D. One stop serves for each carrier rod, and, for example, one of the projections 1| is adapted to .encounter one of the stops 62 during the reciprocation of the corresponding carrier rod. Such encounter serves 'to stop the movement of the rod in the same manner as one of the stops 2| has theretofore functioned, and the stops 62 are, therefore, substitute stops which take the place of the stops 2|. It will be understood that a similar groupf stops corresponding to those designated atV 2| is arranged at the opposite end of the machine. The stops 63 serve as substitutes for the last-mentioned stops, which have not been shown.

To initiate the reversing operation, I provide a rock-shaft or spindle 13 which is normally heldin a certain predetermined inoperative position by a latch pin 14. More' particularly, the pin 14 engages with a suitable opening in an arm mounted upon the end of the rock-shaft 13. The arm 15 is held upwardly in the same manner as "the arm 60 by the engagement therewith of the latch pin 14, but when the latch pin 14 is released, a spring 16 pulls the arm 15 downwardly and thereby imparts a slight rotative movement to the shaft 13.'

'I'he release of the pin'M is accomplished at a predetermined time by means of a continuous member such as the chain 11. This chain is provided with a. projection 18 adapted to encounter the free end of an arm 19 normally held in the position shown in Figure 6 by means of a spring 88. The arm 19 is pivoted at 8|, and when the projection 18 encounters it, the upper end of the arm 19 is shifted toward the left, asA viewed in Figure 6, and moves with it the rod 82. The rod 82 engages the free end of a lever 83 pivoted at 84, as shown in Figure 9. The opposite end of the lever 83 is fastened to an upwardly-extending arm 85 which engages the pin 14. Accordingly, at a predetermined time, when the projection 18 encounters the arm 19, the latch pin 14 is automatically released and the rock-shaft 13 is moved in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. The chain 11 is constantly driven by .the machine, and the projection 18 is so mounted' thereon that release of the pin 14 will be accomplished at exactly the desired time.

The rotation of the rock-shaft 13 accomplishes various things. It withdraws the detents 28, and 35 into their respective housings. It disengages the pawls 21 and 34 from their respective ratchets. And it renders the pulleys 58 and 59 operative to drive the shafts 23 and 30 in reverse direction.

The withdrawal of the detents is accomplished by means of an arm86 which is fastened to the shaft 13 and which engages the free ends of the detent handles 81 and 88 respectively. Thus, when the shaft 13 is moved in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, it causes the arm 86 to press downwardly upon the handles 81 and 88, thereby withdrawing the detents 28 and 35 into their respective housings.

The disengagement ofv the pawls is accomv plished by means ofthe arm 89 which is fastened at its upper end to theshaft 13 and is moved in clockwise direction along with the shaft' 13. YAt its midportion, the arm 89 engages the bent end 90 of the strap 9|, the latter being pivoted atl 92 and 93 to the pawls 21 and 34 respectively. Thus, when the arm 99 moves in clockwise direction, it pulls the strap 9| toward the left, as viewed in Figure 1; and withdraws the pawls 21 and 34 from their respective ratchets and into the disengaged positions shown Y form ofan integral member having two grooves therein. This member is interposed between a fixed collarI 94 and a friction disc 95 mounted upon the driving shaft 55. When the lower end of the arm 09 moves toward the left, as vviewed in Figure 1 it pulls with it the link 96, the opposite end of which is provided with-the cam vsurface 91 bearing against the rear face of the disc 98.

Upon viewing Figure 4, it isv to be noted that the normal position of the link 96 is shown in dot-and-dash lines, the pulleys`58 and 59 being free to rotate upon the shaft 55. When the link 96 is moving toward the left in Figure 1, and downwardly into the full-line position of Figure 4, it forces'the disc 98 toward the left and' presses the friction disc 95 against the pulley 59, thereby clutching the latter in firm engagement between the disc 95 and the collar 94. This causes the pulleys 58 and 59 to rotate -with the shaft 55, and being thus driven, these pulleys actuate the belts 56 and 51 and rotate the shafts 23 and 30 in reverse directions from normal.

In order that the detent wheels 26 and 33 may be brought to rest in such positions as will enable the detents 29 and 35, when released, to reengage with res tive notches, I provide. a projection upon the rear of each ratchet wheel and for engageme t with a suitable projection or pin carried by h of the respective worm boxes. For example, in Figures 2 and 5, it will be noted that I have provided a projection 99 upon the rear face of the detent wheel 26. I have also provided a pin within a suitable housing |0| which is urged toward the left, as viewed in Figure 5, by the spring |02. As a carrier nut 22 moves toward the right and back toward its initial position, it presses upon the left. end of the pin |00 and forces the right end of the pin out of the housing |0| and into the position lshown in Figure 2. In this position, the right end of the pin |00l is interposed in the path of the projection 99. Accordingly, during the counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft 23, under the action of the belt 56, the pin 99 normally en- I-counters no obstruction, but when the carrier nut 22 hasreached its original position, the projection 99 encounters the pin |00 and positively brings the rotation of the shaft and the detent wheel to a halt. The further driving power of the pulley 56 causes a slippage of the belt 56 .around the pulley 24.

This position of rest of the Adetent wheel 26 is one wherein a notch thereofy is exactly beneath the detent 29, so that when the latter is again released, it will fall downwardly into engagement with this notch.

It will be understood that the provision of the projection 99 and the cooperation thereof with the pin |00 may have a useful applicability in machines of this general character even where the return-rotation of the shafts 23 and 30 is accomplished by means other than the belts illustrated. vFor example, where these shafts are Arotatedby hand, the detent wheels areproperly tion to be provided on the rear face of the detent wheel 26. The projection I have illustrated in these figures is adjustable angularly with respect to the wheel and consists of a member provided with a longitudinal slot |06, a pair of v set screws |01 serving to lock the member |05 in adjusted position. For more accurate adjustment of this member, and to enhance the operation of this member as a stop or abutment. I provide a stud |09 in a housing |09 and cause l5 the end of the stud to bear against the rear end of the member |05.

Whenever the knitting operation of a leg blank has been completed and the machine stops, the

operator raises the arm 60 until the latch pin 64 20v re-engages therewith. Although he may similarly raise the arm 1 5 by hand, my invention dispenses with the necessity for this additional operation by providing a projection |03 upon a suitable carrier rod, this projection cooperating with a roller |04 carried at the free end of the arm 15. Thus, upon viewing Figure 9, it will be obvious that when the rod which carries the projection |03 is moved 4toward the right, the arm 'l5 will be automatically raised to permit the 30 latch pin 14 to re-engage therewith. Inasmuch as the rods must be shifted, in any event, to opposite ends of the machine before the -knitting operation can be4 again started, this shifting of the rod which carries the projection |03 is not 35 an additional procedure, but one which the attendant of the machine carries out in a customary manner.

It will be obvious that changes vin the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose 40 of explaining the nature of my` invention may said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, a

ratchet and pawl arrangement for rotating said shaft to advance said nut intermittently and thereby reduce the travel of said rods in a. planned manner. a reversing mechanism, a normally disconnected clutch between said reversing mechanism and said shaft, and means automatically operative after a predetermined advance of said nut to d isengage said pawl and ratchet and to connect said clutch.

2. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation. a threaded carrier nut for said\` stops.. a screw shaft supporting said nut, means for rotating said shaft to advance said nut axially with respect to said rods so as to reduce the travel of said rods in a. predetermined manner, a reversing mechanism for said shaft, a normally disconnected clutch between said reversing mechanism and said shaft, and means yautomatically operative after a predetermined `3. In a knittingmachine, a set ofrecprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for said rods to .limit their reciprocation, a threaded carrier nut for i said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, a

ratchet and pawl arrangement for rotating said shaft to advance said nut intermittently and thereby reduce the travel of said rods in a planned manner,.a detent for locking said ratchet between rotations thereof, a reversing mechanism for said shaft, a normally disconnected clutch between said reversing mechanism and said shaft, and means automatically operative after a predetermined advance of said nut to disengage said pawl and ratchet, withdraw said detent, land connect said clutch, whereby said shaft will be rotated inreverse direction.

4. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods,-stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation, a threaded carrier nut for said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, a ratchet and pawl arrangement for rotating said shaft to advance said nut intermittently and thereby reduce the travel of said rods in a planned manner, a detent for lockingv said ratchet between rotations thereof, a reversing mechanism Vfor said shaft, a normally disconnected clutch between said reversing mechanism and said shaft, and means automatically operative after a predetermined advance of said nutto disengage said pawl and ratchet, withdraw said detent, and connect said clutch, whereby said shaft will be rotated in reverse direction; 'said lastfnamed means comprising a rock-shaft, an y arm carried thereby and engaging said detent,

`an arm carried thereby and operatively associated with said clutch, and a link engaged by said last-named arm and engaging said pawl. A

5. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for vsaid rods to -limit their reciprocation, a threaded carrier nut for said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, means for rotating saidshaft to advance said nut axially with respect to said rods so as to reduce the travel ofl said rods in a predetermined manner, a normally inoperative set of substitute stops for said rods, and means automatically operative after a predetermined advance of said nut to render said substitute stops operative, and means automatically operative thereupon to Vrotate said screw shaft in reverse direction and return the carrier nut to initial position. l

6. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation, a threaded carrier nut for said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, means for rotating said shaft to advance said nut axially with respect to said rods so as to reduce the travel of said rods in a predetermined manner, a set of' substitute stops for said rodsp a latch for-normally holding said substitute stops in inoperative position, and means automati. cally operative after a predetermined advance of said carrier nut to trip said latch and render vsaid substitute stops operative; whereby said screw shaft may thereupon be rotated in reverse ldirection without affecting the travel of the yarn-carrier rods.

'1. In'a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation, a threaded carrier nut for said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, means for rotating said shaft vto advance said nut axially with respect to said rods so as to reduce the travel of said rods in a predetermined y manner, a set of substitute stops for said rods. a

a predetermined angular position when said latch for normally holding said substitute stops in inoperative position, and means automatically operative after a predetermined advance of said carrier nut to trip said latch Vand render said substitute stops operative, said last -named 5 means being interposed-in the path of said nut and operative when encountered thereby; whereby said screw shaft may then be rotated in reverse direction.

8. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation, a threaded carrier nutfor said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, means for rotating said shaft to advance said nut axially with respect to said rods so as to reduce the travel of said rods in a predetermined manner, normally inoperative mechanism for reversing the rotation of said shaft, a rock-shaft controlling said mechanism, a latch for normally locking 'said rock-shaft, means automat- 20 ically operative at a predetermined time to release said latch, and means operative by movement of one of said yarn-.carrier rods for re-latching said rock-shaft in inoperative position.

9. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation,A a threaded carrier nut for said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, means for rotating said shaft to advance said nut axially with respect `to said rods so as to reduce the travel of said rods in a predetermined manner, a detent for locking said shaft between rotations thereof, a detent wheel carried by said shaft and engageable by said de.- tent, and means for halting said detent wheel in a predetermined angular position when said shaft is rotated in reverse direction.

10. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn-carrier rods, stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation, a threaded carrier'nut for said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, means for rotating said shaft to advance said nut axially with respect'to said rods so as to shaft is rotated in reverse direction, said lastnamed means comprising complementary pro- I jections associated with said detent wheel and said carrier nut respectively.

11. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn carrying rods, narrowing mechanism for varying the travel of said rods, and stops for limiting the travel of the rods, said stops being non-operative during the narrowing operation and rendered operative when the narrowing operation is completed, whereby the knitting can be continued while the narrowing mechanism is automatically returning to its initial position.

12. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocable yarn carrying rods, narrowing mechanism for varying the travel of said rods, a set of stops non-operative during the narrowing operation, and means for rendering said stops operative and for returning the narrowing mechanism to its starting position when the narrowingoperation v .ble yyarn carrier rods, stops for said rods to limit their reclprocation, a threaded carrier nut for said stops, a screw shaft supporting said nut, narrowing -mechanism including means for rotating said shaft to advance said nut axially with respect to said rods so as to reduce the travel of said rods in a predetermined manner, a normally inoperative set of substitute stops, and means automatically operative at the completion of the narrowing operation to cause the screw shaft to be reversed for return of said nut to initial position, and at the same time to render the substitute stops active for controlling the yarn carrier rods during return of the carrier nut as aforesaid.

14. In a knitting machine, a set of reciprocating yarn carrier rods; a set of normally operative stops for said rods to limit their reciprocation; narrowing mechanism including means for automatically shifting said stops to reduce the travel of said rods in a predeterminel manner; means for automatically restoring the stops to their initial or starting positions at the completion of each knitting cycle of the machine; an auxiliary set of normally-inoperative positionally-xed substitute Ystops for said rods; and means for rendering the substitute stops temporarily operative during restoration of the first mentioned stops to their normal positions.

15. In a knitting machine, narrowing mechanism including a yarn carrier stop screw shaft, a narrowing point stop screw'shaft, and racking means for rotating the shafts in one direction incident to narrowing of the fabric knitted in the machine; reversing mechanism including a power shaft and a normally disconnected clutch interposed between the power shaft and the screw shafts; and means automatically operative after the desired narrowing of the fabric has been accomplished, to disengage the racking means and to operate the clutch so that the two screw shafts are turned in the opposite dlrection for restoration of the narrowing mechanism to its initial or starting position.

16. In a knitting machine, narrowing mechanism including a yarn carrier stop screw shaft, 5 a narrowing point stop screw shaft, and racking means for rotating `the shafts in one direction incident to narrowing ofthe fabric knitted in the machine; reversing mechanism including a power shaft with a loose double pulley thereon, 10 a clutch for the pulley, and belts coordinating pulleys on the respective screw shafts with the double pulley; and means automatically operative after the desired narrowing of the fabric has been accomplished, to disengage the rack- 15 ing means and to operate the clutch so that the two screw shafts are turned in the opposite direction with attendant restoration of the narrowing mechanism to its initial or starting position.

17. In a knitting machine, narrowing mechanism including a yarn carrier stop screw shaft, a narrowing point stop screw shaft, and -rack ing means for rotating the shafts in one direction incident to narrowing of the fabric knitted 25 in the machine; reversing mechanism including a power shaft with a loose double pulley thereon,

a clutch for the pulley, slip belts coordinating pulleys on the respective screw shafts with the double pulley; means automatically operative $0 after the desired narrowing of the fabric has been accomplished, to disengage the racking means and to operate the clutch so that the two screw shafts are turned in the opposite direction; and means to arrest the reverse rotation of ,the shafts when the narrowing mechanism has been restored to its initial or starting position.

ALBERT GEE. w 

